Prosphora Baking Instructions Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

PRAYERS BEFORE WE BEGIN

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

* O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who art everywhere and fillest all things, treasury of blessing and giver of Life, come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.

* During the Paschal season we say: “Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life” (3)

Let us pray to the Lord! Lord, have mercy!

O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Thou hast said, “Without Me you can do nothing”. We embrace these words in faith, O Lord, and we entreat Thy goodness. Help us to carry out the work of baking prosphora which we are about to begin, and bring our work to its completion. For Thou art the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, of all things, O Christ our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

PRAYER AFTER THE PROSPHORA HAS BEEN BAKED

O Lord our God, this prosphora that has been baked represents each one of us, our families, and our parish community. We are offering ourselves to Thee, Who art our very Life, in humble obedience and total commitment to Thee. We place ourselves on Thy Holy Altar through this prosphora, to be used by Thee in any way Thou willest, to enlarge Thy Kingdom. Accept our gift and make us worthy to receive the greater Gift that Thou dost give us when Thou dost consecrate this bread and give it back to us as Thy Precious Body. For unto Thee are due all glory, honor and worship, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prosphora Baking Instructions Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

ITEMS NEEDED

“Prosphora Box” - contains the cutters, seals, yeast, bags, salt, etc. Please be sure to replenish the box if an item is running low. The box is located on the racks in the hall kitchen extension.

Flour - Two (2) 5lb. bags of King Arthur Bread Flour (blue bag). Please do not substitute.

Yeast - Two (2) packets of yeast (do not use the “fast-acting”, just the “regular” dry yeast) Utensils: Large cookie sheets (2); Proofing bowls, with warm damp towels to cover (4); Cutters, seals, toothpick, rolling pin, glass and knife; Cooling racks (2); Aluminum foil, plastic bags, and marker. Calendar : Be sure to check the church calendar or with Father to see if extra proshora are needed for a Feast Day Litya or Divine Liturgy.

DIRECTIONS • Pray (see opposite page). • Place a pan with water onto the “floor” of the oven. This will create a sauna effect, and keeps the breads from splitting while they bake. • Pre-heat the ovens to 350° degrees. • Fill a glass with warm water (hotter side of warm) and stir-in 2 packets of yeast. • Place 10lbs (2 bags) of flour into the mixing bowl. • With the sign of the Cross, add holy water, salt, and yeast to the mixing bowl. • After you set the mixing bowl onto the mixer unit, start the kneading arm and slowly add 2 quarts of warm water. Allow the mixer to go for a couple of minutes and cautiously add more water as needed. • After about 5-7 minutes, check the dough for consistency and place on the counter. • Cut the dough into four parts, hand-knead, and place into “floured” proofing bowls (flour coating is important so the dough doesn’t stick) and cover with the warm towels. • Allow the dough to rise for about 10-15 minutes, knead again and allow to rise for another 5-10 minutes. Try to make sure the dough ball is nice and smooth. • Roll the dough, cut out the forms and place the larger “bottoms” onto the floured baking sheet. • Press the seal onto the smaller “tops” (be sure to press hard to make a nice seal) . • Using your finger or a spoon, wet the entire surface of the “bottom” and place the “top” in the center. • Using a toothpick poke holes into the seal, saying “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen” • Place the baking sheet into the oven, and make the sign of the cross over it. • Bake at 350° for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Tap the bottom for a hallow sound. • Place the bread onto the cooling racks and say the appointed prayer (see opposite page). • Once the bread has cooled, wrap in aluminum foil (mark the best by writing “Lamb” onto the foil) , and place in plastic bags. We use 4 large prosphora for Sunday (1 Lamb and 3 for cut-up). • Please check the supplies and be sure to let the next baking team know what is needed. • Please take the used towels and apron home to launder.

THANK YOU, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AS YOU MAKE THIS OFFERING!